Public finds charter draft lacking

Friday

The Barnstable Charter Commission was all ears at its March 12 public hearing, the first of two, taking about 20 comments from the 40 or so who attended.

2009-03-20 02:00:30First hearing draws mostly negative comments

The Barnstable Charter Commission was all ears at its March 12 public hearing, the first of two, taking about 20 comments from the 40 or so who attended. The commission itself had little to say throughout the hearing, except for chairman Richard Clark, who attempted to respond to more procedural questions. The commission’s next public hearing will be held March 25 at 7 p.m. at Barnstable High School’s Knight Auditorium. The commission’s next meeting to deliberate on the charter draft is the following night, March 26, at Barnstable Town Hall beginning at 7 p.m. It will be televised live. The Comments Bill Cronin of Hyannis, who helped collect signatures during the 2007 petition drive, said the commission failed to follow the wishes of voters and “created a document that cannot be supported.” That captured the sentiments of many of the 20 speakers at the hearing, some more polite than others. Cronin also wanted to see an appointed finance committee added to the charter, which he considered “essential.” His wife, Laura Cronin, reinforced that point in extensive remarks from the comprehensive Financial Advisory Committee, on which she serves. She said that while things are better now, the situation could revert to the days when the CFAC was generally ignored and excluded from its advisory role. Laura Cronin asked that it be written into the charter so that it can’t be “dismantled and removed from the charter without a citizen vote.” John Julius of Hyannis also collected signatures to help form the charter commission, which he said makes him an authority on what people were expecting out of the commission. He said that 90 percent of those signing did so in favor of a mayor, telling the commission, “You have let the people down.” “I’d like to tear this up and stamp on it, but I have more integrity than that,” Julius said. Allen Goddard of Hyannis was looking for a “direct and popular check” of the top executive, and said, “I deplore the sudden absence of a recall election.” Goddard also suggested the use of a plebiscite, a regular vote to gauge the will of the voters. Former tax collector Maureen McPhee of Marstons Mills wanted to know more about the move from an elected to appointed tax collector, citing the 2007 rejection of that idea. Charter commission chairman Richard Clark said that while the town had been well served, there was nothing about an election that guarantees the necessary skills for the technical position. Carolyn Garbutt of Marstons Mills wanted the recall provisions returned to the document. “It’s an essential safety valve,” Garbutt said. She also favored electing the tax collector. Mimi McConnell of Cotuit and a former town council president opposed “the general thrust and some specific provisions of the present draft.” In particular, she did not like the council president, as it creates a “de facto mayor” and opens the door to “big money” politics. McConnell also opposed the reduction in council size. Gwen Phillips of Cotuit offered her appreciation for the commission’s work, but favored a larger, not smaller council. “Too much power in the hands of a few is a very dangerous thing,” Phillips said, adding that she opposed removal of the recall provision. Bud Bergstrom of Cummaquid thought that all members should be elected at the same time, and favored electing the executive. Of the town manager’s position, he said that having someone with that much power in an appointed position “is more reflective of an oligarchy than a democracy.” Dave Weber of Barnstable Village talked about some things that weren’t explained in the draft. “You don’t say how these districts are going to be formed, it leads me to believe that something’s going to be lost.” Clark explained that those would come after redistricting to 15 precincts, out of which districts of three contiguous precincts would be formed. Eric Schwaab of Hyannis summed up what he’d heard up to that point: “I think you’re getting the impression that this will not pass at the polls.” Schwaab then asked for comments from the board on “how you’re going to correct this document.” The commission did not offer suggestions at that time, but Clark explained that further deliberations would come after the hearings. Patrick Murphy of Osterville and the current vice chairman of the school committee said that although the chairman advocated for a larger committee, which the charter proposal recommends, he does not support it. Murphy also did not think adding a councilor to the mix “takes into account the future direction of educational policy.” Helen Harris of West Hyannisport, a former town councilor, thought having one member of a council mixes the legislative body with one that is executive. “It muddies the waters on who’s responsible to what,” Harris said. In a similar vein, Harris was critical of the council liaison process, as she’s seen an instance where the council representative takes votes in that role. Skip Simpson of West Barnstable provided the only supportive comments about the report. “I think it’s a step in the right direction,” he said, adding that it provided voters with more of a voice. He also asked that the commission consider language regarding consolidation of the fire districts. Simpson said that while he thought the most recent recall effort was an abuse of that process, it should remain as part of the charter. Rob Anderson of Centerville said that the “action person” in the charter, meaning the town manager, was appointed and insulated from the voters. “I’m not going to say the ‘M’ word … the town manager system is not working in this town, at least it’s not working for me.” Jan Barton, a resident and town councilor from Marstons Mills, raised concerns about having a town councilor as a voting member of the school committee. Barton has been liaison for the past three years and said she’s always found the committee receptive to her input. Elizabeth Landon of Cotuit thanked the commission for its work, and said that it must be difficult to have worked on something and then have people come and criticize it. Landon said that the reduction in councilors was a concern. “With just nine councilors, [with all the things that need to be done] I don’t know how they could do it and do a good job,” Landon said. Patrick Page of West Barnstable said that he has “experienced some very bad things” as a result of the current government in Barnstable. For the past four years, Page and his wife, Jane Saunders (who spoke later), have been attempting to move a house onto a lot they own at the corner of Route 6A and Buttonwood Lane. “I can’t begin to tell you what I’ve been through,” Page said, getting emotional and visibly angry. Saunders asked that the government proposed be made transparent. The commission did not discuss much at the close of public comment. Commission member John Alden of Hyannis said, “We obviously have some work to do on this charter,” which gained applause.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.